News
New transport plan to tackle youth job access crisis announced
Skates says public transport overhaul will connect people to work, drive growth
AMBITIOUS new plans to overhaul public transport across North Wales will help young people who are being “cut out of the jobs market” due to poor connectivity.
That’s the pledge from Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, who will outline the details of the Network North Wales programme during a business leaders’ breakfast in Wrexham later this month.
Mr Skates, who is also the Senedd Member for Clwyd South, will address the Wrexham Business Professionals at the city’s Maesgwyn Hall on Friday (June 27), where he will set out the Welsh Government’s vision for a fully integrated and reliable transport system across the region.
According to Mr Skates, a lack of accessible and dependable public transport is preventing many young people from taking up jobs.
“There are still a huge number of job offers being turned down because people simply can’t get there,” he said. “That has to change. Public transport isn’t just about moving people from A to B — it’s about tackling inequality and unlocking economic growth.”
One stark example was raised at the group’s meeting last July, when Rachel Clacher, co-founder of communications giant Moneypenny, described how a young woman from Gwersyllt faced a four-hour daily commute for an eight-mile journey to Wrexham Industrial Estate — all due to infrequent and poorly connected buses.
Mr Skates said the new transport initiative will directly address such barriers.
“We’re introducing new legislation to regulate the bus network and designing services to better connect communities with employment centres like Wrexham Industrial Estate and Deeside Industrial Park,” he said.
Network North Wales will form part of the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone, with bespoke improvements planned in close collaboration with Transport for Wales, Wrexham Council and Flintshire Council.
Other immediate improvements include:
- A 50% increase in rail services across North Wales starting in May 2026.
- Doubling services between Wrexham and Chester from next May.
- Work beginning on a direct Wrexham–Liverpool line, aiming for four metro-style trains per hour within a decade.
- Upgraded train stations and more frequent services between Wrexham and Bidston.
- A £1 bus fare cap for 16 to 21-year-olds across Wales starting in September.
Mr Skates said: “Public transport should be seen as the third public service. It must serve everyone — not just the few. The changes we’re making will better connect people to jobs, training, and opportunities.”
He also praised the work of Wrexham Business Professionals for championing the local economy: “There’s something magical happening in Wrexham right now, but this group has been a solid supporter of the community for years.”
Ian Edwards, a senior member of the group, welcomed the reforms.
“We all know the current system doesn’t work — you can’t have just one bus an hour to serve a major industrial estate,” he said. “We need something that’s frequent, reliable, and fit for purpose.”
Fellow member Louise Harper added: “The June 27 meeting will be an opportunity for business leaders to hear how this major investment in transport can benefit both companies and workers. We’d encourage everyone to attend.”
Guest speakers at the event will include Laura Hall, managing director of Holt-based Maverick Diagnostics, and Amanda Davies from Wrexham Council, who is leading the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.
Photo caption:
Transport overhaul: Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport (Pic: Mandy Jones)
News
Accidental deaths in Wales rise by 43% as calls grow for urgent action
More than 1,200 lives lost each year as charity warns of growing public health crisis
ACCIDENTAL deaths in Wales have risen by 43% over the past decade, with more than 1,200 people now dying each year, prompting calls for urgent action from the next Welsh Government.
New figures released by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) show that Wales now has a death rate 22% higher than the UK average, with preventable harm placing increasing pressure on the NHS and disproportionately affecting poorer communities.
Falls remain the leading cause of accidental death, accounting for nearly half of all fatalities. People in Wales are around 24% more likely to die from a fall than those elsewhere in the UK.
RoSPA has warned that the situation represents a growing public health crisis, as it launches its Stronger, Safer Wales manifesto ahead of the next Senedd election.
The charity is urging ministers to treat accident prevention as a national priority, arguing that many deaths could be avoided through relatively simple and low-cost interventions.
Accidental harm is also linked to a range of other risks, including rural road collisions, accidental poisonings, machinery incidents, and dog-related injuries.
The wider impact is significant, with preventable accidents costing the NHS billions, reducing workforce participation, and deepening inequality across Wales.
RoSPA is calling for a range of measures, including improved home safety standards, compulsory water safety education in schools, and stronger road safety interventions.
Among its proposals are mandatory eyesight tests for drivers every three years, better road markings to protect motorcyclists, and tighter regulation of unsafe or counterfeit products sold online.
The charity also wants to see national home safety programmes introduced to support vulnerable households, along with clearer responsibilities for local authorities in managing water safety risks.
Becky Hickman, Chief Executive of RoSPA, said the figures should act as a wake-up call for policymakers.
She said: “Wales is facing a clear and escalating crisis of accidental deaths, and the evidence shows the situation is worsening year on year.
“Behind every statistic is a life that could have been saved with practical, proven interventions.
“We are calling on the next Welsh Government to make accident prevention a national priority, because coordinated action will save lives, reduce inequalities and relieve pressure on the NHS.”
She added: “Accidents are not inevitable. With strong leadership and consistent standards across Wales, we can significantly reduce preventable harm.”
RoSPA says tackling the issue will require coordinated action across government, emergency services, local authorities and industry, but insists that the solutions are both achievable and cost-effective.
The charity’s manifesto is intended to shape future policy in Wales, with a focus on reducing avoidable deaths while easing pressure on overstretched public services.
Crime
New pilot offers dedicated advocates for trafficking survivors
National scheme aims to support hundreds of victims of modern slavery across the UK
MORE than 600 adult survivors of modern slavery are set to receive dedicated support through a new national pilot scheme providing accredited, independent advocates.
The initiative will see specially trained professionals working directly alongside survivors of human trafficking and exploitation, helping them navigate complex legal, social, and recovery processes.
While survivors of crimes such as domestic and sexual abuse already have access to specialist advocacy, no equivalent provision previously existed for victims of modern slavery—despite the often severe and long-term trauma they experience.
Over the next three years, 24 Independent Modern Slavery Advocates (IMSAs) will be deployed across the UK. Each advocate will complete a postgraduate qualification and receive support from a central hub hosted by anti-trafficking charity Hope for Justice.
Tim Nelson, CEO at Hope for Justice, said the pilot aims to tackle inequalities in support: “We want to end the postcode lottery that adult survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking are experiencing in the UK.
“There are many organisations already doing incredible work, but by working together and setting new standards, we can give survivors the best possible chance of rebuilding their lives.”
The scheme is backed by a £1 million National Lottery grant and involves several organisations, including Unseen UK, Medaille Trust, Bawso, SOHTIS, Hope for Justice, and the Snowdrop Project.
Since the pilot began six months ago, advocates have already supported 121 survivors, helping to secure housing, legal recognition, and access to vital services.
Key outcomes so far include:
Ten survivors provided with safe and secure housing
Seventeen Home Office decisions successfully challenged, granting victims access to support
Humanitarian protection secured for a young adult survivor
Advocates have also helped individuals access healthcare, mental health support, education, employment, and secure immigration status.
One survivor described the support as “life changing” after escaping a trafficker. In a letter to her advocate, she said: “You have fought our corner tirelessly when I did not have the strength. You stood beside us every step of the way.
“You helped me rebuild trust, believe in myself, and slowly find my voice again.”
The IMSA role aligns with international guidance on independent advocacy and has been shaped by experts and those with lived experience.
Louise Mensah, Head of Frontline at Unseen, said: “This pilot is a step towards a world without slavery. We are proud to be part of something that will improve outcomes and change futures.”
Ben Ryan, Deputy CEO at Medaille Trust, added: “We know the value of long-term support in recovery. This partnership allows us to embed best practice and develop new approaches.”
Organisations wishing to join the final phase of the pilot have until May 2026 to apply.
Further information is available at www.hopeforjustice.org/imsa/
Community
Charlie the ventriloquist doll returns to Pembroke Dock after 100 years
Beloved character to greet visitors as Heritage Centre reopens for new season
CHARLIE the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll is coming out of retirement — and back to where it all began.
Visitors to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will be greeted by the much-loved character when the attraction reopens for the new season on Monday (March 30).
It marks a nostalgic return for Charlie, who once performed in the very same building — then the Royal Dockyard Chapel — alongside his original owner, Ernie James, a Pembroke Dock bus company proprietor. Over the years, the duo became a familiar and popular act on the Pembrokeshire variety circuit.
Today, Charlie is cared for by Paul Elliott, of Llanreath, who inherited the doll from his father, Fred Elliott — better known locally as magician ‘Mr E’, whose shows delighted audiences for decades.
Charlie has also recently enjoyed a brush with national attention, appearing alongside Paul at a BBC Antiques Roadshow event in Swansea.
The Heritage Centre will offer free entry on opening day, with Charlie and Paul on hand to meet visitors and share stories from a century of entertainment.
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